“These demonstrations are deep-seated. They are born of a real frustration of an economy unable to produce and supply basic goods,” Farnsworth said. “Everything from common staples to more sophisticated services, like healthcare – and that’s been going on longer for a lot longer than just the past year.”

Experts have warned former President Hugo Chavez’s socialist reforms, known as Bolivarian Revolution, could have a negative impact on Venezuela’s economy. Farnsworth says we could be seeing those effects now.

“Expropriation of private enterprises, spending that is way out of control not supported by revenues … gifts of petroleum to Cuba … in the course of doing that, Venezuela has become bankrupt,” Farnsworth said.

Currently the U.S. and Venezuela have a weak diplomatic relationship -- but when it comes to energy, both nations continue to depend on one another for the sale and export of oil.

“We [U.S.] still get a lot of our petroleum from Venezuela, it’s bought at market rates that probably won’t stop,” Farnsworth said.

Farnsworth says Washington still has a vested interest in keeping contact with Venezuela’s leadership.